RSA top Test rankings; India stay in fifth

South Africa consolidated their lead in the latest ICC Test Championship rankings issued on Tuesday while India retained the number five position. India last played a three-Test series in December against England which they lost 1-2 but they remained on 105 points. They are four points behind arch-rivals Pakistan, who have 109 points and are placed in the fourth spot.

A 2-0 series win over New Zealand has earned South Africa one rating point and has lifted them to 124 points. This has opened up a six-point lead over second-ranked England.

Meanwhile, Sachin Tendulkar is the lone Indian batsman in the top 20 list of ICC rankings for Test batsmen. With 653 points to his credit, Tendulkar has gained a spot and he is in the 19th position. Michael Clarke of Australia is currently the No.1 Test batsman thanks to his wonderful run in 2012.

However, South Africa's Hashim Amla has moved within a striking distance of claiming the number one position for the first time in his career after he moved up a place to second. Amla is just one rating point behind Clarke and will have a shot at the coveted position when South Africa take on Pakistan in the first Test in Johannesburg starting on February 1.

In contrast, Clarke will return to the Test arena only on February 22 when Australia face India in the first Test of the four-match series in Chennai.

Pragyan Ojha (9th spot), Zaheer Khan (15th spot) and Ravichandran Ashwin (20th spot) are the three Indian bowlers in the top 20 and all have managed to maintain their respective places in the list.

South African pacer Dale Steyn still tops the list. He has further consolidated his lead thanks to spells of 5/17 and 3/48 against New Zealand in the final Test at Port Elizabeth. Steyn has opened up a 45 point gap with team-mate Vernon Philander, who is currently placed second. Philander lost one rating point for missing the second Test due to injury.